Sunday, 25 March 2012

Late Blogging!

Must admit I am rather slack at blogging! With our crazy schedule over here it is hard to find a time to actually sit down and write out everything that has been going on!
Anyway I will try and provide some insight as to the past couple of weeks and up and coming events!
We are now well under weigh with the lead up to exams and as classes become harder I am finding there is SO much to learn and perfect.
We have learnt most of our combinations for the exam but obviously it is not so much learning the combinations as it is perfecting every step and as our bodies get more tired that becomes harder to do!
It is an incredible process and something that despite the hardship I am enjoying a lot.

We are currently in the middle of the Mariinskys 12th Ballet festival, it is an incredbile event and I feel so lucky to be able to view it. Have been to see 2 of the performances so far but sadly missed out on last night with Zhakarova dancing Bayadere due to rehearsals. It was great to get to see Matthew Golding of Het National Ballet and Alina Somova dancing Swan Lake. It always interesting to compare guest artists to the creme of St Petersburg as our style here is so distinctive.
Looking forward to seeing Selutsky's gala (one of the principal tutors here and a repeteur at the Mariinsky), it will be featuring all the leading names in Russian ballet not to mention a number of my friends from the Academy (Selutskys graduate class).


Saturday, 3 December 2011

Day 1 of the Blog!

Dear all,

I have had numerous people ask if there is some way in which they can follow my progress! Besides Facebook and Vkontakte I have found I have very little time to email everyone regarding what is going on!!!
I hope to update this twice a week with new pictures and bits and pieces of what is going on in my life!

As for now I shall start with a rather lengthy update starting from my leaving Christchurch, NZ three months ago up until now!
Where to begin... Just before I left Christchurch I was part of a gala presented by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation in which I performed the Sleeping Beauty Act III Pas de Deux alongside former principal of the Royal New Zealand Ballet Katie Hurst-Saxton. I also performed the ever so much fun Les Bourgeios. It was a fantastic night had by all and despite the snows attempts to drive away our audience we had a near full house.
I was greatly impressed by the huge talent that the DMMF has come to foster and it is really encouraging for a city that has been through so much recently, to have such talented youth so willing to assist in the rebuilding of our city by gifting their talents. Thank you to all who performed, you are the best!
After this I farewelled friends and family and headed off to London! A rather long flight but once I arrived I had the most marvellous time exploring the city. I wish I'd had longer but in the short time I was there I got to see so much more than I had expected.
After my three days in London, I headed off to Dussledorf and then on to St Petersburg!
I have to admit my total lack of Russian let me down immensely and I received the biggest culture shock!
I was greeted by the head of the international department, Olga Abramova, whom I have to thank a great deal as had she not picked me up from the airport I fear I may still be sat there today!
Driving to the school was an interesting experience, not only did we stop in the middle of the highway to put water into the engine out of a coke bottle (this taxi driver had come prepared!) we also nearly crashed I would say no less than half a dozen times!
When we arrived at the school I was amazed, the place is like a giant fortress, it is AMAZING!
It is anything anyone could ever want for!
I absolutely love my teacher despite his numerous vocal issues (he yells a lot).. and my class mates are all amazing! I already am able to call most of them family!